2010 NFL Combine Winners

We spoke with a former NFL scout who attended the Combine to find out which players are rising up and falling down teams’ draft boards.  We will discuss the Combine’s “winners” today, and the “losers” tomorrow.

Combine Winners

USC S Taylor Mays

We really aren’t sure why everyone is jumping on Mays’ bandwagon because we all knew he was going to blow up the Combine.  He recorded an official 4.43 forty (originally a 4.24), jumped 41 inches, and posted 24 reps on the bench.  However, none of his physical tools translate to the field, as he displayed with poor quickness and change of direction in the position drills.  Still, his straight-line speed makes him a “winner” in the minds of many NFL scouts and executives.

Tennessee S Eric Berry

There isn’t much buzz about Berry’s Combine performance, but he cemented his status as a top ten pick.  We were impressed that he decided to perform all of the drills, showing his competitiveness.  His numbers were all great (particularly the 43” vertical and 10′10” broad jump), but the fact that he decided to compete is what stands out most to us.

Texas S Earl Thomas

Thomas ran a 4.44 forty and posted 21 reps on the bench, all after showing up at 208 pounds (about 10 pounds heavier than his college playing weight).  There is little chance that Thomas gets passed Houston at pick No. 20.

Rutgers CB Devin McCourty

McCourty really impressed us with his fluidity and quick change of direction.  He ran a 4.48 and showed excellent hips and ball skills in position drills.  He has an excellent shot to be the third cornerback selected.

Indiana of Pennsylvania CB Akwasi Owusu-Ansah

Owusu-Ansah reminds us of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.  In addition to the hyphenated last name, they are both lengthy corners from small schools who just look the part.  Akwasi really stood out in individual drills, and showed he has the requisite speed with a 4.47.

South Carolina LB Eric Norwood

We profiled Norwood a few days ago, and we still cannot figure out why he is rated so low on boards.  He could go in the third round, which is crazy for a productive college linebacker with excellent pass-rushing ability, great speed (4.67), and above-average explosiveness (36.5” vertical).

Florida State DE Everson Griffen

There are some concerns about Griffen’s character, but he may be able to overcome those with his Combine results.  Griffen displayed a freaky combination of strength and speed, registering 32 bench press reps while still running a 4.66 forty-yard dash.  That could vault him into the top 15 selections.

Georgia DT Geno Atkins

Atkins isn’t a name you hear often, but he improved his draft stock this weekend with a ridiculous 4.74 forty.  He also recorded 34 reps on the bench and is a prime candidate to move to DE in a 3-4 scheme.

Maryland OT Bruce Campbell

314 pounds, 4.85 forty, 34 reps, 32 inch vertical—enough said.  However, we talked to a scout who said many teams have given Campbell a fourth-round grade.  He is the ultimate boom or bust prospect in this year’s draft.

Pittsburgh TE Dorin Dickerson

Pitt’s Dorin Dickerson lit up the Combine.  He ran an official 4.40, with some scouts clocking him in the mid-4.3’s.  He also jumped 43.5 inches in the vertical.  Although he only weighs 226 pounds, some team will probably jump on Dickerson a bit too early in the draft.

Illinois WR Arrelious Benn

We love Benn.  He probably cemented his spot as the No. 2 wide receiver behind Dez Bryant, and possesses the size/speed combination that teams generally covet in their pass-catchers.

Notre Dame WR Golden Tate

Depsite Tate’s numbers (4.42 forty), we are still not high on him.  Like Ford, he does not play as fast as he tested.  Tate is superb after the catch, but the first round pick it would cost to grab him is not worth it, particularly with so many talented wide receivers/return men that figure to go in rounds two and three.

Cal RB Jahvid Best

Best’s 4.35 40-yard dash was the third-fastest at the Combine.  Despite concerns about his size, Best actually had right around the same measurements as the consensus #1 RB C.J. Spiller.  This helped him have an impressive 18 reps on the bench.  Of course this means nothing about his future, but at least it shows he has been in the weight room.

Auburn RB Ben Tate

Ben Tate arguably had the best Combine numbers of any running back.  At 218 pounds, he ran a 4.43, had a 40.5 inch vertical, and performed 26 reps on the bench press.

Florida QB Tim Tebow

The Prophet summoned some powers from above to perform quite well at the Combine.  Tebow’s 38.5 inch vertical was tied for the best ever by a quarterback.  Unfortunately, his Combine numbers really say nothing about his future NFL success or failures.